Red Bull has ended longstanding speculation as to who will partner Max Verstappen by announcing its complete line-up for the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship.
Isack Hadjar, who has shone across his debut F1 campaign with satellite outfit Racing Bulls, has been confirmed as Verstappen’s partner for next year.
The Frenchman, who sits 10th in the Drivers’ standings, has shown remarkable maturity and speed throughout his maiden year, crowned with a podium in Zandvoort.
Media speculation as to whether Hadjar would be afforded the promotion to the full Red Bull squad for 2026 has rumbled across the majority of the season, with current and former RB stablemates Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda struggling in the second car alongside Verstappen.
But the announcement has finally ground the rumour mill to a halt, and the Milton Keynes-based team has now finally revealed Hadjar will step up to the main team.
“I’m so grateful to Oracle Red Bull Racing for giving me the opportunity and trust to race at the highest level of Formula One,” Hadjar said.
“After all the hard work I have put in since joining the Junior Team, it’s such a great reward.
“I’ve had many ups and downs throughout my career, and they kept believing and pushing me.
“This year with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls has been absolutely amazing, I’ve learnt a lot and secured a maiden podium.
“I feel I’m much better as a racing driver and a person, due to the Team‘s support and preparation.
“I feel ready to go to Oracle Red Bull Racing and I am happy and proud they feel the same. It’s an awesome move, to work with the best and learn from Max is something I can’t wait for. “
How Hadjar went from debut formation lap horror to one of F1’s hottest properties
Coming into F1 off the back of a Formula 2 campaign, which saw him finish runner-up to fellow rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, Hadjar’s beginnings in the sport got off to the worst possible start.
At the opening round in Melbourne, Hadjar crashed out on the formation lap, leading to a public display of anguish, in which he was consoled in the paddock by Lewis Hamilton’s father, Anthony.
Many rookies may have only crumbled further, the moment being a significant milestone in a downward curve, but not Hadjar. Two races later, he scored his first points in Japan.
He would follow this with more points in Saudi Arabia, Miami, Monaco, and Spain. A tough period followed, but the summer break concluded with his best moment to date.
Showing strong pace all weekend in the Netherlands, Hadjar capitalised on Lando Norris’ retirement to finish third, withstanding pressure from George Russell in the closing laps.
This intensified already growing speculation that he was being groomed as a Red Bull driver for 2026, amid additional rumours that Verstappen was engaged in talks with Mercedes.
Once the Dutchman signalled his commitment to the team, Hadjar was now still in line to take a drive as his team-mate, despite the decision being pushed back from Mexico to now.
F1 will, of course, begin a new era of radical technical regulations for 2026, and Red Bull has already set its bar low amid a new powertrain partnership with Ford.
There is no doubt that there will be a plethora of difficult moments for the team as a whole, as, alongside the famed American marque, it tackles its first year fully developing its own power units.
But Hadjar has been entrusted with showcasing his talent and maturity to help the team navigate what is expected to be a difficult period, as well as a new driving style most likely required for everyone up and down the F1 grid.
READ MORE – Racing Bulls announces revised F1 driver line-up for 2026
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